'10 IL QB Tommy Rees (Notre Dame Man)

[woolybug25]

Petition to have Tommy given the "Notre Dame Man" title as well? He deserves it, IMO

I second this motion.

 

[IrishLion]

I hope Tommy blows away whatever coaching staff he gets at the Shrine Game and gets a legit opportunity at an NFL camp.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I hope Tommy blows away whatever coaching staff he gets at the Shrine Game and gets a legit opportunity at an NFL camp.

I think you missed it. Tommy didn't get an invite as a player, but rather as the coach.

 

[dublinirish]

I think you missed it. Tommy didn't get an invite as a player, but rather as the coach.

were all the equipment manager roles filled?

 

[arndtjc]

I saw Tommy's first career start in person, at my first ever Notre Dame football game and first ever game at Notre Dame Stadium, in a 28-3 rout of #14 Utah. To this day, that win in my opinion, was the turning point of the ND football program. We have seen so much success under Tommy Rees, and we've seen heart break with Tommy Rees. But TR will forever be part of the turnaround of this program, and that deserves 'Notre Dame Man' Status...

 

[koonja]

If Tommy gets 'ND man' after his name, I vote TJ Jones does as well. 4 year starter, always a great attitude, was everything ND stands for. I love that man.

For the record, IMO Manti Teo should be the only one with a special name on here, but if we're going to start handing it out like this, TJ gets my vote.

 

[dublinirish]

If Tommy gets 'ND man' after his name, I vote TJ Jones does as well. 4 year starter, always a great attitude, was everything ND stands for. I love that man.

i could say the same about Zach Martin and Danny Spond

 

[koonja]

i could say the same about Zach Martin and Danny Spond

Edited my original post.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I saw Tommy's first career start in person, at my first ever Notre Dame football game and first ever game at Notre Dame Stadium, in a 28-3 rout of #14 Utah. To this day, that win in my opinion, was the turning point of the ND football program. We have seen so much success under Tommy Rees, and we've seen heart break with Tommy Rees. But TR will forever be part of the turnaround of this program, and that deserves 'Notre Dame Man' Status...

Totally agree. Fueled by the Blanton punt block.

 

[gkIrish]

I don't think TR needs an "ND man" by his name. Should be reserved for the truly great players, both on and off the field. Nix and Manti are the only guys that fit that recent mold.

Danny Spond is an exception because of his unique situation.

 

[anarin]

Any player that graduates from ND is pretty deserving IMO

 

[arndtjc]

Uhhh TR is top 5 in pretty much every passing category in ND history. Not sure how that isn't classified as 'great'?

This dude was a leader on and off the field (with the exception of the arrest last year) and won a lot of big ball games for ND. He will continue to achieve success anywhere he decides to go, and I'm glad he was Irish through and through!

 

[nsideirish]

Any player that graduates from ND is pretty deserving IMO

Agreed. A graduate of Notre Dame naturally becomes a "Notre Dame Man".

 

[koonja]

IDC what everyone decides to put after past player's names. But IMO, this is a sports forum, not student hall. If everyone who graduates gets a special name, then what value does it really have? IMO, Manti is the only one deserved of a special name to me, but IDC what you guys decide on for criteria.

 

[gkIrish]

Uhhh TR is top 5 in pretty much every passing category in ND history. Not sure how that isn't classified as 'great'?

This dude was a leader on and off the field (with the exception of the arrest last year) and won a lot of big ball games for ND. He will continue to achieve success anywhere he decides to go, and I'm glad he was Irish through and through!

Players with special designations shouldn't have an * next to their name. Lots of people think TR was a great QB, but just as many people think he was average. The "Notre Dame Man/Legend" designation originated with Manti to show how special he was. No one could make the argument that Manti wasn't "great" on and off the field. To classify a player like TR that way would be disrespectful to Manti and Louis.

To be clear, the point of my protest isn't to disparage TR. Paying homage to Manti and Nix mostly.

 

[arndtjc]

But Manti had controversey surrounding him that was way worse than Tommy's arrest? I'm not saying he was involved in the whole thing, but that seems to be the opinion of a lot of people I talk to.

If Manti was special because of his play/numbers/leadership, Tommy Rees is just as special, as they have comparable numbers in terms of historically ranked in Nd history...

 

[woolybug25]

Players with special designations shouldn't have an * next to their name. Lots of people think TR was a great QB, but just as many people think he was average. The "Notre Dame Man/Legend" designation originated with Manti to show how special he was. No one could make the argument that Manti wasn't "great" on and off the field. To classify a player like TR that way would be disrespectful to Manti and Louis.

To be clear, the point of my protest isn't to disparage TR. Paying homage to Manti and Nix mostly.

Isn't Manti "Notre Dame Legend"?

I think Tommy deserves some special designation. He wasn't just some role player on our team, without Tommy, BK probably wouldn't still be here. We wouldn't have went undefeated last year.

I consider the "Notre Dame Man" tag to be a tribute to a player that made a significant impact to our program. Tommy certainly did that.

 

[gkIrish]

But Manti had controversey surrounding him that was way worse than Tommy's arrest? I'm not saying he was involved in the whole thing, but that seems to be the opinion of a lot of people I talk to.

If Manti was special because of his play/numbers/leadership, Tommy Rees is just as special, as they have comparable numbers in terms of historically ranked in Nd history...

The controversy got more media attention but Manti did nothing wrong except being naive. If you think Tommy Rees was "just as special" as Manti Te'o let's just agree to disagree. That's an insult to Manti Te'o IMO. Manti Te'o is the most decorated player in the history of college football and arguably the greatest defensive player in Notre Dame history.

Isn't Manti "Notre Dame Legend"?

I think Tommy deserves some special designation. He wasn't just some role player on our team, without Tommy, BK probably wouldn't still be here. We wouldn't have went undefeated last year.

I consider the "Notre Dame Man" tag to be a tribute to a player that made a significant impact to our program. Tommy certainly did that.

We wouldn't have been undefeated if it weren't for a handful of players like TJ Jones and Eifert (who doesn't have a special designation as far as I know). I guess we just disagree on what Notre Dame man should mean. Tommy may have been a captain and leader but he was super controversial among fans. If you are that special there should be no dispute about your abilities.

 

[GBdomer]

Just curious why he deserves the title "Notre Dame man" Any player who graduated in this class could deserve the title. I am just curious on why he deserves it? IMO if this kid played for any other big name program in the country and played the way he played and punched a cop. What would you honestly think of him and what would you say? I am thankful sometimes for what he did on the football field and he seems like an awesome kid. But Danny Spond, Zach Martin,TJ Jones, Bennett Jackson where all captains weren't they? So if Tommy gets to be a "Notre Dame man" why don't our captains?

 

[woolybug25]

We wouldn't have been undefeated if it weren't for a handful of players like TJ Jones and Eifert (who doesn't have a special designation as far as I know). I guess we just disagree on what Notre Dame man should mean. Tommy may have been a captain and leader but he was super controversial among fans. If you are that special there should be no dispute about your abilities.

The bolded is where we differ. I think that "abilities" shouldn't be the judge of the title, but rather the "impact" the player had on the team. I think it is hard to argue that Tommy had a significant impact on this program. When people look back on BK's career at Notre Dame… there will be a whole chapter on Tommy Rees.

If we only base it on ability, then guys like Aaron Lynch would be closer to the title than Tommy. That doesn't pass the smell test for me, personally.

 

[woolybug25]

Hey guys… why don't we take this conversation to the thread specifically about it?

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Uhhh TR is top 5 in pretty much every passing category in ND history. Not sure how that isn't classified as 'great'?

This dude was a leader on and off the field (with the exception of the arrest last year) and won a lot of big ball games for ND. He will continue to achieve success anywhere he decides to go, and I'm glad he was Irish through and through!

I'm not here to rip TR so I will say the argument can be made that he lost games as well and that he was the QB during many wins, not necessarily that he won a lot of games. He responded in relief on more than one occasion and that should not be dismissed out of hand, but to say he was a great because of his place in statistical categories may be a bit skewed. Put Jimmy C in TR's position w the D he had, the Oline TR has played behind and the coaching staff TR has played for and I think the win totals, win % and passing numbers go up pretty dramatically. And then just ask yourself, is TR great? Not in my book. Happy he was at ND but not classified as great.

 

[GBdomer]

Uhhh TR is top 5 in pretty much every passing category in ND history. Not sure how that isn't classified as 'great'?

This dude was a leader on and off the field (with the exception of the arrest last year) and won a lot of big ball games for ND. He will continue to achieve success anywhere he decides to go, and I'm glad he was Irish through and through!

You thought Tommy Rees was a great QB? If you don't mind me asking why you think this?

 

[ulukinatme]

I don't think TR needs an "ND man" by his name. Should be reserved for the truly great players, both on and off the field. Nix and Manti are the only guys that fit that recent mold.

Danny Spond is an exception because of his unique situation.

And Tommy hasn't been in a unique situation? I'm not slighting Danny here, tremendous player and it's a shame he didn't get to play his Senior season, let alone take another snap. I felt bad for Jamoris Slaughter too, although he's able to make a little coin on practice squad if I recall. For the last four years Tommy has been the janitor when this program takes a crap. Whether it's a player getting injured, or making an academic mistake, or struggling on the field, Tommy has been the one to come in to clean up. I'm sure that's not the position he envisioned for himself.

We lose a few games, whose fault is it? Tommy's, of course. When we need someone to finish the Purdue game last year, or bring us back against Stanford in overtime last year, or lead a drive against Navy of all teams because our defense can't get a stop? Ummm... Most people don't acknowledge that contribution. He's been the scapegoat for losses, whether it was partially deserved (It is a team game) or whether it was not deserved. He's received boos from his own fans, horrible messages from "fans" on social media, and I've heard death threats. The guy has endured that, and still comes to do his job each week to the best of his ability. It's a totally different situation from a guy like Danny, but it's an incredible amount of extra pressure and negativity that no other player on that team receives. When he was told he wasn't going to start 2011 or 2012, he easily could have gone to a MAC school or somewhere else to get a chance to start 2-3 more seasons, but he stuck it out despite all the crap thrown his way. We're probably not even going to a bowl this season if Tommy wasn't here.

 

[Meacon Irish]

Uhhh TR is top 5 in pretty much every passing category in ND history. Not sure how that isn't classified as 'great'?

For nearly 100-years, Notre Dame was an option, or a flat-out super run heavy team.

Tommy just happened to come around for the 2010-2013 seasons when everybody and their mother throws for 3000 yards a season. It's just like the quarterbacks in the NFL. They aren't necessarily better than Marino, Montana, or Elway, just because they're putting up ridiculous video game type numbers.

If you've actually watched Tommy for the last four years and can call him "great", then more power to you. But numbers aren't everything, especially with the way the game is played today.

 

[ulukinatme]

For nearly 100-years, Notre Dame was an option, or a flat-out super run heavy team.

Tommy just happened to come around for the 2010-2013 seasons when everybody and their mother throws for 3000 yards a season. It's just like the quarterbacks in the NFL. They aren't necessarily better than Marino, Montana, or Elway, just because they're putting up ridiculous video game type numbers.

If you've actually watched Tommy for the last four years and can call him "great", then more power to you. But numbers aren't everything, especially with the way the game is played today.

I think the problem is we asked too much of Tommy this season. How many times did we put the game on his shoulders and ask him to win the game with his arm? More times than we should have. He did win a few, but he lost a few too. Most QBs are going to lose a few games when you ask them to do that, especially when you're not running an offense thats predicated on the pass first. Nevertheless, our running game struggled this season, and when we got behind we quickly went into a passing offense. I think if you look at many of the games Tommy did well this season, they were against opponents where our running game got going and we were able to rely on less passes and the occasional play action to get things going. Thats how every game should have been, we should have focused on using our experienced OL to establish the running game this season and then work the play action. It just didn't pan out that way.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

One More Year!
One More Year!
One More Year!

 

[Riddickulous]

2013:

3,257 yards
27 TD

Career Numbers:

7,670 yards
62 TDs (1 rush)

 

[Irishman77]

2013:

3,257 yards
27 TD

Career Numbers:

7,670 yards
62 TDs (1 rush)

Biggest validation of Kelly's ability. Just think what he is going to do with our qbs with athleticism and a arm. Can't wait!

 

[Irish YJ]

Thank you Tommy! You showed great heart over the years. We appreciate your team first attitude and leadership in a challenging time of transition. We appreciate the class in which you rolled with the changes, and the baller attitude you brought to the team. Go forth and prosper Notre Dame Man.